(1) In the chemical industry, oxidants are widely used in the production of various raw materials and finished products. In metallurgy, oxidants are commonly used to remove impurities and purify the smelted metals, such as iron ore, iron phosphorus, air, or industrial pure oxygen used in steelmaking. In chemical batteries, oxidants are commonly used to remove oxygen released at the positive electrode; these are called "removing agents," such as manganese dioxide used in dry cell batteries.
(2) Oxidants decompose when heated, easily causing combustion and explosion, so they must not be heated.
(3) Many oxidants are explosive, such as chlorates, nitrates, and especially organic peroxides. They are prone to explosion after friction, impact, or vibration, so they must be handled with care.
(4) They react violently with organic matter, flammable materials, and combustibles, and may even cause combustion and explosion. Therefore, the packaging materials, warehouses, and transport vehicles for oxidants must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent impurities from being mixed in and causing danger.
(5) Most oxidizers react violently with acids, even exploding, such as potassium chlorate and benzoyl peroxide, which explode upon contact with sulfuric acid. Therefore, these oxidizers must not come into contact with acids or alkalis; in case of fire, acid-base fire extinguishers should not be used.
(6) Some oxidizers decompose upon contact with water, especially peroxides of active metals, such as sodium peroxide. These decompose with water, generating heat and releasing oxygen, easily igniting flammable materials. Therefore, these oxidizers must not be exposed to moisture; water should not be used for fire extinguishing.
(7) Some oxidizers can undergo a double decomposition reaction upon contact with other oxidizers, generating high temperatures and causing combustion or even explosion. For example, nitrites and hypochlorites exhibit reducing properties when encountering stronger oxidizers, resulting in a violent reaction and posing a danger. Therefore, various oxidizers should not be left unattended.
(8) Some oxidizers, such as silver bromate, decompose upon exposure to sunlight, so they should be kept away from light. Many oxidizers are corrosive and toxic, such as chromium trioxide, requiring special attention to personal protection.
